A Social Exchange Perspective through the Lens of an Individual: Relationship between LMX, Voice and Organizational Commitment in Academia

Abstract

Supervisor and subordinate relationship play a significant role in a work place. One can measure the quality of reciprocal exchange between them through leader member exchange relationship. The main objective of current study is to check the impact of leader and member exchange (LMX) on organizational commitment at individual level. Data (N = 270) were collected from faculty members working in higher educational institutes (HEIs) from two cities of Pakistan. Utilizing Preacher and Hayes (2008) macro of mediation, the proposed mediating variable i.e. employee voice behavior, used in this study appeared to be significant. Employee voice behavior of faculty members mediated the positive association between LMX and normative and affective components of organizational commitment. Depending on social exchange theory, this study widens the research on both the variables i.e. LMX and organizational commitment relationship by declaring employee voice as the mediator. Implications and future directions are discussed.